Chair hogs are one of the most annoying parts of a cruise. A sunny sea day can be instantly ruined by guests who rush to throw towels, books, and other belongings on the pool chairs, even if they have no intention of returning for hours.
While cruise lines try to limit chair hogs by monitoring which chairs are actively used, there's only so much they can do. You will inevitably find guests who don't care if they frustrate others and leave their belongings on chairs to attempt to reserve them for later.
Since avoiding chair hogs is impossible, here are 8 ways to beat them on your cruise for a better pool day.
Wake up early
Rise and shine! One of the best ways to beat the chair hogs is to wake up earlier than them. The earlier you wake up, the more spots you'll have to choose from. Though this may not matter to some sailors, others may prefer to have a chair steps from the pool.
There are other advantages to hitting the pool deck early. For instance, you can enjoy the sunny weather before the peak afternoon heat. Once it becomes unbearably hot, you can transition inside, taking advantage of activities like trivia or bingo.
It's also a good time to rest for evening activities. Spending too much time in the heat could drain your energy and leave you less excited for shows or other late-night events.
Skip shore excursions
Even if you snag a coveted pool chair on a sea day, you'll have to deal with hundreds of other passengers with the same idea. There's a reason the lido deck is one of the most popular spots onboard!
Instead of swimming in a crowded pool, consider staying onboard when your ship is in port. Yes, that means you'll have to skip an activity or two, but if taking advantage of the pool is a top priority for you, it may be worth the trade-off.
Conversely, book a half-day excursion. That way, you can split your time between the pool deck and the port of call. For example, Carnival Cruise Line offers a two-hour Atlantic Submarine tour that allows you to get a glimpse of life under the sea in Cozumel, including the Chankanaab Reef.
Read more: Reasons Smart Cruisers Choose to Stay Onboard During Port Days
Explore other areas of the ship
Cruise lines typically design ships with other lounge areas separate from the noisy lido deck. Though many passengers want to relax near the pool, some prefer a quieter spot to catch up on their reading or nap.
Don't give up if you can't find open seating on the pool deck. Instead, get acquainted with the other areas onboard. For example, I discovered an open area filled with lounge chairs when sailing aboard Freedom of the Seas.
Not only was the area practically empty but because it was at the back of the ship, but the seats had an amazing aft view of the wake as we sailed through the Bahamas. Personally, I find an ocean view more desirable than a pool view with loud music and screaming children, anyway!
Read more: 25 Fun Things To Do on a Cruise Ship Sea Day
Splurge on a suite
Perhaps the most expensive way to avoid chair hogs is to book a suite on a ship with a private sun deck. Instead of hanging out with the "peasants," you can enjoy the exclusive area with prompt service and plush loungers. Another plus? You do not have to wake up early to claim your spot.
Not all ships have this amenity, though. While a travel agent can help advise you on which cruise suite would meet your needs, focus on vessels with a "ship within a ship" concept, including Norwegian's "The Haven," MSC's "Yacht Club," and Princess' "Sanctuary Club."
Suites have other benefits to help justify the higher price. Some of the most luxurious may include a butler and access to an exclusive restaurant!
Read more: 8 signs you're ready to move up from a cruise ship balcony to a suite
Reserve a private cabana
A more affordable way to enjoy the pool deck without being surrounded by crowds is to reserve a private cabana. Not all ships have this feature, though.
On Royal Caribbean ships, they're called casitas and pricing varies. For example, a private casita on an upcoming cruise aboard Icon of the Seas on a port day is cheaper than a sea day, costing just $319 compared to $900.
My partner and I reserved a cabana on our Celebrity Ascent cruise sailing through the Greek Isles. Unfortunately, the cabanas were situated in a structure that created a strong wind tunnel.
It was nearly unbearable for the first half of the day, with drinks spilling over and food flying away. For that reason, I would hesitate to pay over $200 for a private cabana again. Instead, I'd rather wake up a little earlier and grab one of the included pool chairs.
Read more: 17 hidden cruise ship extra charges you should know about
Ask crew members for help
If you notice chairs occupied by belongings rather than people, you can seek out crew members and ask them to keep an eye on them.
After a certain amount of time, usually thirty minutes or so, they may remove the items and hold them at a towel stand, freeing up the chairs for passengers who want to actively use them.
That said, I don't recommend putting yourself in a situation where you could get involved in an altercation with other guests. If you want crew members to help, be discreet about it. Removing someone else's belongings yourself isn't advised.
Schedule a late dinner
Waking up early isn't everyone's ideal way to spend vacation. The ship doesn't come alive until the evening, so you may prefer to stay up late and catch up on your sleep in the morning. If that's the case and you still want to avoid the chair hogs, make sure you don't select the early dining time.
If you have dinner around 5:30pm each night, you'll have to return to your cabin to freshen up when you could enjoy the emptying pool deck. In other words, the window between the early dinner seating and the later one is a great time to relax on the pool deck with plenty of available chairs.
After spending all day in the sun, those with the later seating often head inside by 4:00pm, leaving time to freshen up and enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail at one of the lively bars.
Read more: Guide to flexible dining vs traditional dining on a cruise ship
Check out the ship's daily schedule
There's so much to do on a cruise ship besides lounging on the lido deck.
Maybe you'd like to play a round of mini-golf or attend a trivia session. Some larger vessels even have amenities like ice skating rinks, go-kart tracks, waterparks, ropes courses, and bumper cars.
In short, there's rarely a dull moment on a cruise. While there's nothing wrong with a lazy day by the pool with a cocktail in hand, consider partaking in activities that aren't as easily accessible at home.
Read more: 101 best things to do on a cruise
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
